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America’s Oldest Mall Is Saved By Transforming It Into 48 Cozy Low-Cost Micro-Apartments

America’s Oldest Mall Is Saved By Transforming It Into 48 Cozy Low-Cost Micro-Apartments

Ever wanted to be locked in a shopping mall when you were a kid? Well, now you can LIVE in one if you’re based in Rhode Island. The Arcade providence, America’s first indoor shopping mall that was build in 1828, has been repurposed into a residential structure with 48 low-cost micro-lofts since it fell into decline in the late 20th century. The mall was transformed at a cost of $7 million by Northeast Collaborative Architects

Starting at $550 a month, residents can rent a one-bedroom unit from 225-800 sq. ft. Each apartment contains a kitchen, full bath with shower, built-in beds, seating and storage. There are no stoves in the units as they are designed for the people who lead busy lifestyles but the tenants can eat at freshly designed restaurants on the ground floor and enjoy vibrant evenings in a shared lounge. There’s also a shared laundry facility and a bike storage room as well as parking garage across the street. Would you live in such an apartment?

More info: arcadeprovidence.com (h/t: mymodernmet)

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/HmL2l-bcuUQ[/embed]

Built in 1828, America’s oldest shopping mall in Rhode Island was struggling to fill its commercial spaces and was doomed to be closed


But then Northeast Collaborative Architects came along and transformed it into a residential space at a cost of $7 million


The historic building now has 48 low-cost micro-lofts


Starting at $550 a month, residents can rent a one-bedroom unit from 225-800 sq. ft.


The apartments are based on the top two levels


There are no stoves in the units as they are designed for the people who lead busy lifestyles


But the flats contain full bath with shower


And they have cozy bedrooms with built-in beds


As well as tiny living rooms


The tenants can live a vibrant life with 17 retail stores and restaurants kept on the ground floor


This is how the mall looked in the old days.


 

America’s Oldest Mall Converted Into Micro-Apartments

The Westminster Arcade, also known as the Providence Arcade, in Providence, Rhode Island, was opened in 1828 as America’s first enclosed shopping mall, a concept that was found in some European cities but was not yet popular in the US. Designed by architects Russell Warren and James Bucklin, the building features six massive Ionic columns topped by a triangular pediment, and looked more like an ancient Greek temple than a shopping mall. Behind this striking granite front are open vestibule areas in three levels that were once occupied by numerous shops. Richly decorated cast iron railings capped in mahogany protected the balconies in the upper levels while a glass gable roof filled the atrium with natural light.

The mall fell into hard times after the economic collapse of 2008, and was almost destined for the wrecking ball when the owners decided to turn the property into a residential building instead.

westminster-arcade-1

Photo credit: Northeast Collaborative Architects
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